Watch Bea's Funeral Here

Beatrice Lillian (Benson) Purdy, 84, passed away on February 18, 2025, at Oak Crossing, in Detroit Lakes, MN, with the loving care of her family, nursing staff and Hospice.

Beatrice was born on May 21, 1940, to Vernon and Edna (Krueger) Benson in Mahnomen, MN. She grew up in the Waubun area, attending Adams School and Waubun High School where she graduated in 1958.  She went on to graduate from Concordia College in 1962 with honors.

In her younger years, Bea was active in Lake Grove Lutheran Church and Sunday School, 4-H, and socializing with neighborhood friends and cousins. There was a lot of music and laughter, farm work, and joy at the Benson Farm.

After college, Bea taught English in Osseo, MN, and Brooklyn Park, MN.  She lived from California to Pennsylvania - where her first husband and their son, Chris, resided for many years.  Bea was blessed with many gifts and used them in her various jobs. She sold her crafts and artwork across the East Coast, was a high school and Sunday School teacher, a secretary in broker firms, and a home interior decorator.

In 1986, Bea married her second husband, William (Bill) Purdy Jr. at Lake Grove Lutheran Church and added to her family three daughters: Stephanie, Patricia, and Beth. In 1991, Bea and Bill moved back to Bea's home state of Minnesota. Together they purchased Birchmere Family Resort and Campground on Little Toad Lake, Frazee - which they ran until their retirement in 2005. Bea continued to live in their home on Little Toad Lake until June of 2024.  In 2006, Bea was joyfully reunited with her daughter, Adrienne Smith and her family.

Bea was a devoted daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed bird watching and nature. Bea was an excellent pecan pie maker, choke cherry picker, and a traveler of our country's sites with her family. Her gifts to us all were many: unconditional love, sharing wisdom with a listening ear, and a love of children. She valued education, and with her compassionate charitable heart, Bea gifted to many causes including the Ukraine War Relief Efforts, homemade blankets for children and women shelters, Lake Grove Sunday School, and family members' education.

Deeply loved, Bea's passing will be mourned by her children: Adrienne (Sidney) Smith, Stephanie (Matthew) King, Patricia Wallace, and Beth Hanson; her grandchildren: Jessica (Jarrod) Plumley, Bonnie Smith, Joe Super, Erin, Andy, and Shannon Wallace, Connor, Jojo and Billy Hanson, Angel Vicente, Mathew King IV, Amanda and Tim Rueter; her great grandchildren, Alice and Zoey Plumley; her brother, Wayne (Jean) Benson; sister-in-law, Betty Benson; and many nieces and nephews.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband, William Purdy Jr.; her son, Chris Super; her father and mother, Vernon and Edna Benson; and her brother, Lloyd Benson.

Beatrice Benson leaves behind memories cherished by the community.

Though Bea may no longer walk beside us, her memory will forever be enshrined in the fabric of the lives of those Bea touched, a beacon of light guiding us through the darkness. In her absence, her spirit lives on — a gentle whisper in the breeze

A Celebration on Life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Lake Grove Lutheran Church, rural Waubun, MN.  A Time of gathering will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Lake Grove Cemetery, rural Waubun.